Dr. Couch, how were the Jews saved in the OT?
ANSWER: Genesis 15:6 tells us Abraham was saved by faith, or his belief in God. "Abraham believed in the Lord; and He reckoned (accounted, applied) it to him as righteousness." It was prophesied for Israel that the day would come when they would be "legally acquitted, justified" by the Messiah, and that He would "bear their iniquities" (Isa. 53:11). He would do this by pouring Himself out "to death, and would be numbered (considered) with the transgressors" (v. 12). He would substitute for the sinner. "He Himself will bear the sin of many, and intercede for the transgressors."
The object of salvation would be (1) what God had said, and then, (2) on the work of the Messiah for the sinner. Zacharias prophesied that the Messiah would "accomplish redemption for His people" (Luke 1:69). He would give to His people "the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins" (v. 77). This was prophesied when the Jewish people were still under the dispensation of Law, and of course, it would carry over into the dispensation of Grace.
Thus, salvation was based on what God said, and it would be based on what the Messiah would do in His death. This would apply throughout history even though the Jews could not at the moment see this work in its full manifestation in ages past.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
